Today was busy and sunny.......

As this is written we are wrapping up another great Saturday at Seven Oaks. The snow was pretty decent after last nights snowmaking for ten hours........the storm gave us just enough to see some white on the sidewalk.........not much.

Watchin the weather like a hawk as the mid to end of next week looks kinda iffy........but who knows.......should be another good day tomorrow.........temps look decent. .........will do a full groom tomorrow morning........

Kinda looking at moving the Spring Splash with pond skim from next Sunday to........NEXT Saturday.....so we can get it in for sure.........again watchin the weather.........so more later in the week........

enjoy winter.........

Urgent Countdown

Today is friday, February 27 and for those of you who just can't get enough time on the snow and to those of you who have not been on the Seven Oaks snow.......the countdown for this season is in process. Typically we make it thru the first and sometimes second weekend of March.........and it appears making it thru the first weekend of March is pretty much a sure thing.....by the way it's our Spring Splash Sunday March 8........and we may well make it to the second weekend of March......but who knows........so from here on out we are only open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Are we going to get one of those March blizzards that used to dump on us during the week of Iowa State Girls Basketball tournament?? It's been a while since we have and with the weather patterns we have been realizing.....it might just happen.

Our snow conditions are still good and we plan to make snow again tonight.......as it doesn't look like we're supposed to get much of the snowfall tonight........so Saturday February 28 should be awesome conditions......

Red, White, and Blue weekend is tomorrow and Sunday, in honor of our troops and their families.......see our web for details.

Here are a few more recent pics......

This could be you......

There is still time......

Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday........

The lessons are FREE.........

enjoy winter.......

Closed Thursday and more......

With the ice predicted for today/tonight we have decided to close Seven Oaks today and tonight...ready for Friday...... When the temps change downward we will have the snow cat on the snow for as many hours as it takes to keep the trails snow covered and not ice covered.....

Had a couple emails a few days ago that I thought I would share......

hey . just letting yal know, you have great slopes and an amazing staff i cant wait to come back next year;) thank you and your place is amazing mica ;)

thanks Mica for sharing.......

Hi:

I’ve been checking out your website and we’ve had a great report on how much fun Seven Oaks is. Will you be open the weekend of March 13th? We’re very interested to find out if you’ll have the family four pack offered that evening. My three kids have never skied before and some friends of ours told us how great your staff did in preparing their kids to ski.

Thanks.
David

David, we would love to teach your kids to ski..........

here are a couple more pics from recent......

Do you know any of these folks??

think they were all having a great time........again several beginners........

Let's hope we get the inch of snow tonight and the two inches predicted for Saturday afternoon...

Enjoy winter......

A Couple.......

A couple announcements a couple reminders and a couple pics of some couples -

*February 28th and March 1st is Armed Forces Day- Help Seven Oaks salute our military men and women by wearing red, white and blue. We will be adding more info on our web site about special prices for those of you that are in the armed forces or in a family with a person in the armed forces.
*March 7th- Show your valid season pass from another ski area and get a FREE lift ticket.

*March 8th- Spring Splash complete with grilled food on the patio, drink specials, DJ and the popular Third Annual Seven Oaks Pond Skim............ Here's a link to the 2008 pond skim- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BSKhOmqgAg .........and while you are on you tube you can also check out the 2007 skim.

*The next two Friday nights from 6- 9 pm we will have live music in the lodge/lounge.

enjoy winter........

More beginners - red, white and blue - new snow

Every day there are more beginners........yep, and everyone takes their turn riding the "rope"...many will say it is more difficult than skiing.......but then again everybody gets it down. This is a random shot taken recently when there were lots of new skiers and riders trying the sport for the first time....... Keep your skis headed in the same direction as the rope......bend your knees slightly.....keep your skis about shoulder width apart.......then slowly......slowly increase the grip on the rope until you are moving at the same speed as the rope........and yippee.........you did it !

Ski instructor Barry giving a helping hand going up as well as going down..........

.....and Alex helping get the snowplow down........no they aren't dancing........they are skiing......

reminder to all.......wear your colors this weekend in support of the troops and their families.....it is red, white and blue weekend.........great discounts for the troops and families......check our web for details.........

Lots of fresh snow made on tubing Sunday night and it was all groomed last night......ready for the large school group on Wednesday...

Enjoy winter.......

Remember your first day......learning to ski or ride......took a couple pics the past weekend that I'll share over the next week or so in the blog. Snow is still very good at Seven Oaks and the beginners continue to use our FREE lessons to learn their new sport for life........ I thought this picture was great......as parents we have all had the little ones that play soooo hard that they can't keep their eyes open......just plain wore out........often times in the car on the ride home....but as you can see this one just couldn't go anymore and had to take a nap on mom's lap.....with ski boots still on.......

when it is a little cold outside the tendency is for more breaks as was the case this day......lots of skis and boards in the racks as people went in to warm up, have a snack or just visit and rest.....

Had our last Late Nite last Saturday night with our slope style competition......it was so popular we'll for sure do it again......and maybe more than one next season....

Check our website for the upcoming Red White and Blue weekend........more on it later......

And keep posted for our third annual Spring Splash with pond skimming........

This week Wednesday and Thursday will be the last time this season that we are open those nights........looks like it's going to be warm so come on out and have some fun already.....

Made snow on tubing last night to freshen it up and be ready for another busy weekend coming up......as well as the schools we have booked for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week....

Enjoy Winter.....it's coming to a close.........

Here are some pics of the park last Sunday.......made more snow over all the park last night and got some more snow in the forecast for this afternoon/tonight.......yeah.......

Don't forget the slope style competition during our Late Nite.......tomorrow night.......

Anybody recognize the dude in the middle from last year......yep it's Lucas .......not an instructor for us now but came back with family to spend a day in the sun last weekend......good to see ya.

Just a quick reminder that we typically go to Fri, Sat, Sun ONLY in March so keep in touch for our hours of operation and don't put off your trip to Seven Oaks as the end of the season is near....

enjoy winter........

More Snow Thursday

Thought I would throw these pics out on the blog showing the snowguns in action this morning (Thursday) after being started Wednesday afternoon.

We'll make more snow Thursday night so we are READY for another great weekend.........and Late Nite..........and slope style competition during thte Late Nite..........so we hope you are READY to come play! Snowmaking will be focused on the park tonight.

My six year old granddaughter said the conditions tonite on the black and green were AWESOME.

Enjoy winter and bring a friend to Seven Oaks........

Great Weekend

Well, the big snow storm was a one inch storm for Seven Oaks on Friday night.......Omaha to DSM to Ia City got most........but......hey, we'll take the inch. Made snow Thursday night, got the inch Friday night, made great snow Saturday night ......so we are in very good shape. The most common comment received this weekend was how everyone was blown away with how good the conditions were following the really warm stretch. Most of that we owe to Joel spending 16, yep sixteen hours on the trails with the snowcat working and working the snow before Friday.

Some talk of more snow on Wednesday.......we'll see.

But the weather Saturday and Sunday was gorgeous.......perfect.......awesome....

Sunday morning another feature was put in.......here's a pic.

Saturday night is Late Nite at Seven Oaks with a slope style competition. We'll make new powder in the park before then so the conditions should be great......and I've heard there is a lot of interest in the competition.......like lots.

One blogger commented "what's cousins weekend?" Well for the past three years several of my nieces and nephews with their families from all over have joined my family at Seven Oaks for a three day weekend of fun.........and they are all cousins. Maybe I should market that next year as a discounted "cousins weekend" for everyone.........but how would I know who the cousins are?

Here is one niece from South Dakota that I captured on the snow Sunday afternoon.

Cute huh......and she is the mother of nine............uhhh......maybe thats two.......

Open today Presidents Day from 10 to 6.......hope to see you......

enjoy winter.........

Snow is close

Just looked at the radar and the snow is close......and we're in the zone for about 5 inches which will be great. Were finally able to get the guns on at 2 am........didn't get very cold so they were on but throttled back as much as they can be and still be on.......but we made snow. Temps look to be colder the next three nights so we will determine whether we make more based on the final amount of natural snow we get today and tonight.

Group of dedicated Seven Oaks people stayed late last night and with Joel in the groomer, rebuilt each feature. Couple had so much melt that they were removed.......but not the 40 ft rail.....which by the way I owe someone a picture of......so here are a couple angles taken today of the bad boy......

Have two schools on site today and open for you at 4 pm tonite......so if you want to ride and ski in the snow.....as it falls........come on out.

Live music in the lodge from 6 to 9 tonite.

Kuzzins weekend starts tonite for several of our family.......should be a fun weekend.......that's cousins weekend in case you didn't get it...........and remember if you have Monday off for Presidents Day we will be open from 10 am to 6 pm......

enjoy winter.......

5 to 10 ....or... 6 to 12

Depending on which forecast you look...... at we are predicted to receive either 5 to 10 inches or 6 to 12 inches of snow friday afternoon and evening......doesn't make a lot of difference to me as to which is correct.......it will be fresh white.....great ski and ride conditions for the weekend.......bring it on. I don't remember hearing ANYTHING about this system yesterday at this time.......still goofy weather isn't it!

we will get set up with the guns tonight so when the temps drop we will be ready to turn on the snowmaking.......probably get on the snow with the cat on Thursday so we can push what needs to be pushed......and make more snow Thursday night.........ready for the school (s) on Friday and all of you on Friday night.

Speaking of Friday night, we will be having live music in the lodge again this friday night.

enjoy winter.......

Hey is this MARCH or February??

Goofy weather huh......well we met this morning, kicked the snow, checked six different forecasts and made the tough decision.....

We have decided just moments ago to NOT open Wednesday, February 11 for our scheduled groups and at night for open skiing and riding either..........AND.........NOT open Thursday, February 12 for our scheduled groups and that night as well......

You gotta trust us on this.... it will be good for the long run......

What this will do is keep the snow intact.......we still have good snow cover but if we get people on it and/or get our groomer on it....the melting will be more severe.......AND ......we DO plan on making snow Wednesday night and again Thursday night.......even if we can only run 25%......we will spend the effort to get more fresh white on the trails........

Thursday night we will push a little snow to cover the grass on the drop zone where all the riders check speed and one little melt thru on Central Park.

Then we also plan on making MORE SNOW Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday night with the temps predicted to be several degrees colder......and if that's what actually happens with colder temps, we will be able to open more jets, increase the volume of snow made and move the guns often to get good FRESH SNOW coverage over a lot of the trails.

That should give us GREAT CONDITIONS.......for our groups on Friday, February 13 and Friday night-----and this weekend Saturday, Sunday and yes Monday (open 10 to 6 for Presidents Day Holiday).

Hate to do it but we would rather sacrafice a Wednesday and Thursday to have AWESOME SNOW for the four day weekend..

So even after .15 inches of rain yesterday, in excess of 96 straight hours of above freezing temps, three of the last four days in excess of 50 degrees......we are going to give YOU GREAT skiing, riding and tubing this weekend....

thanks for your support.....
Enjoy Winter....

Thank You Patrollers

We see them on the slopes, in the little white building with the red cross and sometimes we see them in action......I'm referring to the members of the NSPS......National Ski Patrol System. You and we hope you never have to use their services ......but these volunteers are on site to come to anyone's assistance if the need arises. They spend hours and hours studying and practicing hands on techniques ......just to qualify. Then each year they spend more time in refreshers - medical, tobogan, lift evacuation, etc.

Again, hope you never meet them under the wrong circumstances....but it would be great when you are on the slopes to give them a thank you........they will appreciate it.

These photos were taken during the chair lift evac refresher a couple weeks ago. We are blessed with about 20 patrollers from all over Iowa and a few from the Kansas City area chosing Seven Oaks as their resort to patrol the slopes.

thanks to each of you......

Jerry M., John, Ben, Mindy, Aaron, Stephanie, Kevin, Dean, Tony, Roger, Fred, Cee,Brian, Steve, Mike, Crista, Don, Mary Jo, Polly, Terry, Jerry S. - and everyone else I forgot --- sorry :(

Enjoy Winter........Winter Feels Good! :)

Warm and Wonderful

Pretty warm Satruday and today wasn't it. Lots of you came to ski, ride and tube.......and a lot were in short sleeve shirts too. Made us a little nervous about keeping good conditions for you but I think we pulled it off...........we know it wasn't perfect like it was in all of December and January but.....WOW ...........it was warm.

We, like you are watching the forecast closely........the rain scares us the most but there isn't one thing we can do but wait and react. If it gets cold enough we WILL make SNOW. Forecasts are all over the map and changing by the hour so who knows what will really happen.

Oh yeah, had a great Late Nite Saturday night too.

The cameraman from WHO TV was on site Saturday shooting footage that we will use to put together next winters commercial. Such a bright sunny day, good crowd, very white snow........I think we got some great shots.

Have a great Monday........and as always.......

Enjoy Winter.......

forty foot rail and television commercial update

The guys stayed after we closed last night and installed the forty foot rail for the first time this season. New feature for everyone to enjoy starting tonite.

Looks like the weather forecast has been tamed back a little bit for this weekend beginning today.......not quite as warm as predicted earlier in the week. Should be lots of people skiing and riding in shirts and I would NOT be surprised to see a few in shorts.......ususally do. But if you are one of them remember you have no protection on the legs when you take a spill.

With the warmer temps, I can assure you we have enough snow to make it right thru this weekend.......and if the rain comes this far north on Monday we'll crank up the snow guns when the temps drop again. Really should be sweet.

Late Nite is on for Saturday night.........and temps look good.....

Just got updated that the television camera crew will be on site Saturday about noon to shoot footage for next winters commercial.......so come on out and see if you get included .......

enjoy winter........we're only about 60% thru it.........and if you like it like many......you will have to wait thru April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November.......til you can ride and ski and snow tube again.......

One Day Getaway"

A local Oskaloosa television crew came to Seven Oaks recently to film a segment for their "one day getaway" Here's the link. All in all a pretty good piece.

http://www.criwmpennu.org/onedaygetaway.html


Schools tomorrow........open at 4pm and 6 pm for tubing. .still trying to get live music in the lodge for friday night................Late Nite is Saturday night.....weather should be awesome from tonight thru Sunday night.........lots of snow chances in the forecast from accuweather too........

enjoy winter

some ramblings....

Have a school on site today.......then open to public at 4 pm.

Thursday is open at 4 pm

Friday is a big school and open at 4 pm........plus we are trying to get some live music in the lodge for friday night.

Saturday - warm temps predicted.......should not melt us out or even close to it. Should be PERFECT weather for the Late Nite.

Sunday - warm but cooler than Sunday. Have TV crew scheduled to be on site to shoot new footage for next winter's commercials. You might be on TV !

when it comes to the weather forecast we are watching the "rain" predicted for Sunday night and Monday a whole lot closer than the warm temps Friday thru Sunday. Some models have the rain being south of Seven Oaks......hope so......but if not.......we WILL blow all NEW snow if we have to. Hey it's still early in the season and we are not done with winter fun.

more later and enjoy winter........

Do you like the new access into the park?

We had talked about it since last fall but it took us a while to be convinced that access to the park from Abby's Alley would work........but it has been created.......and used..........a lot.........and seems to be working just fine.

Late Nite this Saturday night from 9:30 pm to 1:00 am............don't miss it!

Here are a couple recent pics of two small ones skiing at Seven Oaks...........okay, they are more grandchildren......... :)

these were taken weekend before last after another fresh powder snowfall.........

we all start with the snowplow.....

last Saturday I had the opportunity to meet a young lady that was watching her small daughter while the rest of her family spent the day on the snow. When asked she said she had tried to ski once some years ago but didn't get along too well. I invited her to take a lesson for 30 minutes from this old guy.....I would furnish the lift ticket, equipment and lesson.......if she would allow me to teach her...and I didn't plan on putting skis on myself. To make a 30 minute story short........we got her fitted and then the lesson began.......and within about 30 minutes she was implementing the snowplow to slow down, to stop and to turn both right and left.....yeah.....another one has learned the sport for life and will be able to participate with the whole family. That is one of the BEST things about skiing........participate as an entire family.....not on the bleachers or in a lawn chair but on the snow all doing the same thing......winter is great.

enjoy winter........

It was a beautiful weekend

Sunshine, great snow, virtually no wind made for a picture perfect Saturday of skiing, riding and tubing at Seven Oaks. Sunday wasn't too far off the mark either......and next weekend looks to be great weather again.

Had the opportunity to expose my last and youngest two grandchildren to the sport for life.....skiing......on Saturday. The girls are identical twins and 22 months old. They loved it! Smiling and giggling each time they skied down the slope to the waiting arms of mom or dad or gramps. We kept asking if they were ready to quit and their response time after time was "more"......so we did more.........as in carry them about 50 to 60 feet up the slope and point them in the right direction. Here are a couple pics. Now all seven grandchildren ski or snowboard.

Here is the first of a few reminders about our next Late Nite at Seven Oaks this Saturday night starting at 9:30 pm. Free food and Monster energy drink while supplies last. The bonfire will be lit and the DJ will have tunes bouncing off the trees and the weather looks to be sweet so come on out for the night.

Also, the plan is to remove the rainbow from the park this week and replace it with the forty footer. Time to change up some of the features.

Lots of schools on the books for February and lots of groups during our regular hours too.

Congratulations employee Nick Dell on your contribution to the rail jam last weekend in DSM and I know Seven Oaks had lots of representation with competitiors at the jam as well.

More pics tomorrow....

enjoy winter.......